"If everything goes well in the rest of the world, we can take a couple hits in the U.S. and still be okay." Bob Lutz, GM Vice Chairman of Global Product Development. [via TTAC]. "Those emerging markets can't carry GM. We've got to get the job done in all markets." Fritz Henderson, GM Chief Financial Officer [via Automotive News, sub]. Given GM Car Czar maximum Bob Lutz' reputation for "shooting from the hip" (a.k.a. making shit up as he goes along), I'm going with Fritz' analysis. Oh wait, "Henderson also said the U.S. economy in general is faring better than the financial markets. He said he doesn't think the nation is in a recession, thanks to strength in certain sectors of the economy, such as exports." Holy Cruising Down Denial Batman! If anyone is in a recession– you know, other than the housing market– it's the U.S. automobile industry. On the other hand, Fritz also told the assembled car hacks "In terms of what we have to do — profits, cash flow, market cap — we're not the world's largest automaker." So he's down with that. But– "That's what I'm spending 100 percent of my time trying to figure out." Hmmm. Maybe it has something to do with, I dunno, product, or, I'm guessing here, branding. Anyway, if it's not a recession, what is it? Downturn? Market correction? Help Fritz out here guys; what euphemism should he use?
Automotive News [sub] »
Source: GM “Car Czar” Bob Lutz vs. CFO Fritz “No Recession” Henderson
Looks like the one-off, custom made 2008 Cuda coupe that made its appearance at last year’s SEMA Show (see video here) has enliven the interest in the Plymouth Barracuda. This computer generated rendering is the work of Rafael Reston, a digital designer from Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Images: Rafael Reston ,Via: Seriouswheels 
According to a report from the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, Suzuki is planning to unveil a third iteration of its Kizashi mid-size sedan concept in New York this March. The same report suggests that the Kizashi 3 will will be powered by a V8 engine driving all four wheels, compared to its turbodiesel and V6 Kizashi 1 and Kizashi 2 predecessors that where unveiled at the Frankfurt and Tokyo Auto Show respectively, in late 2007. Guess we’ll have to wait until March to see if those Dutch folks are right or not.
You’ve gotta give plenty of credits to the Japanese students of the Shizuoka Professional College of Automobile Technology for building this cool and Mazda Carol Hot-Rod wannabe. The students combined the body and interior of a 60’s Mazda Carol (rear-engined) with the all-wheel-drive powertrain and chassis of a mid 80’s Suzuki Jimny / Samurai. Too bad that they decided to retain the Suzuki’s puny 23 HP strong 0.5-liter engine unit. -More pics after the jump
Link: Shizuoka
